Plug for tires.



/ DE LANCEY P. HARRIS.

PLUG FOR TIRES.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 26, 1909.

ORNEY WITNESSES:

Patented June 10, 1913.

TUE LANCEY P. HARRIS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLUG- FOR TIRES.

Application filed June 26, 1809.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10,1913.

Serial No. 504,480.

17 b all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DE LANCEY P. HAR- RIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Plugs for Tires, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a plug for closing punctures in bicycle tires of the pneumatic type or in other similar tubes such as hose made of rubber, or of rubber and fabric, or of rubber composition or of other similar flexible material and has for its object to produce a plug for this purpose which by its peculiar formation will permit its insertion in the smallest of punctures with the least possible effort, which will be simple and effective and furthermore will permit of subsequent tightening if necessary.

The essential features of my invention are a threaded shank, a peculiarly shaped head secured to one end of the shank, and a suitable nut fitted to turn down on the shank; the head is substantially fiat, that is flat or slightly curved to fit the curve of the tube, and is peculiarly formed with a main portion or body and an integral curved tip or extension on the body. This extension has a reduced end which is first inserted into the puncture and is preferably formed with curved sides, one convex and one concave, whereby the whole head is easily inserted into the puncture with a more or less rotary motion.

My invention will be fullyunderstood by reference to the drawing herewith in which the reference numerals of the description indicate the corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of my peculiar plug and the manner of inserting it into a tire. Fig. 2 is a plan of the peculiar head. Fig. 3 is a plan of a preferable form of washer. Fig. l is an elevation showing a slight modification in the form of the extensions.

In the figures, A indicates the head composed of the substantially circular body but provided on one side with the peculiar integral extension or tip 2.

t is the threaded shank preferably provided with the bent end 6 and to which is fitted the washer 7 having an angular periphery, to be manipulated and gripped by the wrench. The whole head is substantially flat to fit snugly and smoothly the inner surfaces of the tire, but may be made as shown in Fig. 4 with the extensions slightly bent out of the horizontal plane which makes it somewhat easier to insert into the puncture. Whether the head is made fiat or with a slightly inclined extension as suggested, this extension must be made substantially with one outwardly curved or convex side 10 and with an inwardly curved or concave side 11, which sides are oined together with the blunt point 12, to be inserted first in the puncture.

As shown in Fig. 1, the head is inclined, the point of the extension inserted into the hole or puncture, and by means of pressure and a more or less rotary motion or screwing action, which may be produced by using the bent shank-end 6 as a lever, the head is pressed in through the puncture to the interior of the tube, the direction or rotation of screw motion is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, but it will be evident from inspection'how it is done.

When the head is within the tube, the nut is screwed home which may be done by the fingers, but better by the wrench, which is always carried by the bicycle rider. The shank of soft brass is then twisted off and broken close to the washer so there is no interference with the use of the bicycle.

As my washer is peculiarly formed to be turned up by the wrench, it will be seen that if in the first instance it is not sufficiently tightened, that this may be done further by the wrench.

Rubber plugs have been in use for many years to repair accidental punctures on the road, but these involved the use of cement, burning out the hole etc. and were difficult and dirty to manipulate. Also plugs have been suggested having the heads hinged to the shank, but these were inconvenient and expensive to manufacture and it was necessary to insert them through the puncture with a straight push which was difficult and often involved enlarging the aperture to receive the plug.

My plug, .which is preferably made entirely of metal, is easier and simpler to construct and much easier to insert as it enters more readily with the peculiar motion, even in the smallest of holes. When the head has been so inserted, it is easy to tighten firmly. It will be seen that there are no rough edges to cut or abrade the tire.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,

A plug for closing punctures in pneumatic tires having in combination a screw threaded shank, a retaining nut having an angular periphery threaded on the shank, and a metallic head secured to one end of the shank, Substantially at a right angle thereto, the opposite end of said shank being bent over to provide a handle and said head being substantially circular, except on one side Where it is provided with an integral curved extension having one side convex and the other side concave, said sides uniting in a point to be inserted in the puncture and 5 guide the introduction of the entire head within the tire upon the rotatiton of the shank and head toward the concave side of the latter.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 20 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

DE LANCEY P. HARRIS.

Vitnesses GUST. FRENZEL, SAML MONROE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

